Automotive window novelty figure

ABSTRACT

A two-dimensional figure display device supports an animal or figure silhouette with loose appendages, such as a dog&#39;s ears and tongue, on the exterior of a vehicle rear window. The image of the figure to be simulated is formed on a stiffening support. The support has an upwardly extending clip which engages between the window and the window frame of the moving vehicle, a two part hook and loop fastener secures the lower portion of the support to the window. Loose flaps of material attached to the support are acted upon by the wind as the vehicle travels, simulating movement of the depicted figure.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.09/849,066, filed May 4, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporatedby reference herein.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSOREDRESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to vehicle-mounted novelty items.

Automobile drivers view their cars as an extension of themselves. Forsome, the choice of vehicle itself is an expression of personality.Others choose to display items on their vehicles that depict orrepresent some part of their personality. Particularly subtle vehicledesign cues, or overall similarities in popular vehicle designs maycontribute to the desire of a vehicle owner to individualize theappearance of an automobile. Vehicle-mounted displays allow drivers tomake a statement about their interests and likes by personalizing theircars in an easily reversible fashion.

Numerous display devices have been developed to address the need todecorate a vehicle without making permanent alterations. Signs, such as“Baby on Board,” have been attached to the vehicle interior with asuction cup, as have plush figures, fuzzy dice, letters, inflatableitems, air fresheners, and team flags. One desirable feature in anattractive vehicle mounted display is the element of surprise. Because avehicle is often glimpsed only momentarily, or fleetingly, as it passes,and sometimes only in the peripheral vision, the mind of the observerwill attempt to assign meaning to a display based on only veryfragmentary sensory input. Hence, the opportunity exists to present avehicle display which will induce feelings of delight or surprise in thecasual viewer, while also giving ready expression to a driver'spersonality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A two-dimensional figure display device supports an animal or figuresilhouette with loose portions, such as a dog's ears and tongue, on theexterior of a vehicle rear window. The image of the figure to besimulated may be printed directly on a stiff support. The support has anupwardly extending clip which engage between the window and the windowframe of the moving vehicle. Loose flaps of material attached to thesupport are acted upon by the wind as the vehicle travels, simulatingthe movement of the depicted figure.

The display simulates a dog, animal figure, human celebrity, or otherfigure perched in the vehicle back seat, enjoying the air from an openwindow. This figure display gives drivers an opportunity to expresstheir love and appreciation for pets or personalities to others. Otherdrivers, giving only partial attention to the ornamentation of passingvehicles, may express surprise or delight, on realizing that what atfirst appeared to be a dog gazing out a window, is only a largely twodimensional simulation. Furthermore, the display can serve to invitecamaraderie between people on the road—one dog lover would recognizeanother.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a figure display forattachment to a vehicle window which simulates a figure, such as a dog,sitting in the rear of a car.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a figuredisplay which, although mounted to the exterior of a vehicle, appears tocross over the boundary between vehicle interior and exterior.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a figuredisplay for attachment to an automobile which utilizes the forwardmotion of the vehicle to induce simulated animated movement of thefigure.

Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of one embodiment of thevehicle-mounted novelty item of this invention, shown in relation to avehicle window.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the novelty item of FIG. 1, shownmounted to the rear passenger side window of an automobile.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the novelty item andwindow of FIG. 2, taken along line 3.

FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of an alternative embodimentvehicle-mounted novelty item of this invention, shown in relation to avehicle window.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1–4, wherein like numbers refer tosimilar parts, a vehicle-mounted novelty item or figure display device20 is shown in relation to a conventional automobile 21 in FIGS. 1–3.The device 20 has two principal components: a multi-layered case element30, upon which the details of the figure are formed, and a flexible butgenerally stiffer plastic support 22 which has structure for attachmentto the automobile 21. The support is preferably formed of a transparentplastic material, for example, ⅛ thick acrylic. Because the support 22is essentially a plate, with minimal relief, it is advantageously cut topresent a recognizable silhouette of the figure to be simulated. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 1, the support 22 may be cut, such as byrouting, to present the image of a forward looking dog with its pawsextending over the edge of a partially opened vehicle rear window. Thesupport 22 presents the outline or general form of the simulated figure,while the case element 30 provides the color, texture, and markings thatdistinguish the figure. The support 22 is preferably formed to have aslight curvature about a horizontal axis, as indicated in FIG. 2. Tomanufacture the support, a planar sheet of plastic material may be firstcut to the desired silhouette, and then the desired curvature imposed onthe cut element, such as by heating and bending. This curvature helps toretain the support engaged against an automobile window when attached.In addition, the resilience of the plastic material from which thesupport is formed allows the curvature to adjust somewhat to differentwindow curvatures.

The multi-layered element 30 is made from a flexible material, such aswoven or non-woven fabric, vinyl, or other printable sheet material. Thecase element 30 has a front panel 32 which is fastened to a back panel34 to define a pocket 35 which receives the plastic support 22. Adesired figure simulative image 38, such as a dog's profile, is appliedto the front panel 32. The image 38 may be applied through screenprocess printing, embroidery, applique, or other printing process.

In addition, one or more loose flaps of material 36 are attached to thefront panel 32. The flaps 36 are connected along seams 37 which definehinges about which the flaps are able to move. The rear window of anautomobile extends generally parallel to the flow of air past thevehicle when the vehicle is in motion. When the case element 30 isaffixed to the support 22, and the support is mounted to the window 24of an automobile 21, the flaps 36 move in the wind as the vehicletravels, the airflow acting on the planar flaps of material 36 causesthem to repeatedly lift and drop. Attached at various positions alongthe front panel 32, the flaps 36 may also be printed or decorated topresent the appearance of movable portions of the simulated figure. Theflaps will generally be simulative of natural appendages of a depictedor simulated animal. For example, one flap 36 defines a dog's ear 40,and another the protruding tongue 42 of a dog. The simulated ear 40 mayhave two seams, an upper seam 37 along the top of the ear, as shown inFIG. 2, and a front seam 41 along the front of the simulated ear flap.By adjusting the length and positioning of the seams, the degree ofmovement of the flap may be adjusted. In addition, a simulated dog'scollar 44 may be sewn at two ends, to permit the collar to move somewhatin the wind. This positioning of the device 20 in the flow of airpassing along the automobile when the automobile is moving causes thefigure display device to move in a way which simulates the action ofwind on a dog leaning out an open automobile window.

Because the case element 30 and the attached flaps 36 are thin sheets offabric or like material, it is necessary to provide a stiff backing toprevent the entire figure from waving in the wind like a flag. Thesupport 22, although sufficiently resilient to allow it to be bentslightly to conform to the curvature of the vehicle window 24, as shownin FIGS. 2 and 3, is also sufficiently rigid to resist the forces of theoncoming wind.

The support 22 is releasably, and nondestructively, attached to thevehicle window 24, and engaged between the window and the vehicle windowframe 39. The support 22 is connected to the window 24 by a securingconnector 26, which preferably comprises a top clip 50 and a front tab52. The top clip 50 extends upwardly from the body 54 of the support 22.The top clip 50 may be integrally molded with the body 54, or, wheredifferent properties are desired, or to achieve economies ofmanufacture, the top clip 50 may be a separate part fastened to the bodyas by adhesive attachment. The top clip 50 has an outward segment 56which overlies the exterior face of the window 24, and an interiorsegment 58 which is connected to the outward segment by a curved segment61, and which extends along the interior of the window 24. The interiorsegment 58 converges towards the outward segment 56, thereby releasablyclamping the clip 50 and the attached support 22 to the vehicle window24. To attach the support to the vertically adjustable window 24, thewindow glass is lowered to present a gap above and on the front edge ofthe window to receive the top clip 50 and the front tab 52. When thewindow is then adjusted upwardly, the clips are fastened in place bybeing engaged between the window glass and the window frame. The topclip extends upwardly from the support to engage the window, and to hangthe support from the window on the exterior of the window.

The top clip 50 prevents the figure 20 from moving downwardly. Moreover,the top clip 50 extends in a front-to-back direction approximately 2¾inches, and is clasped between the upper edge 60 of the window glass andthe rubber window seal 62 fixed to the window frame. This engagementserves to restrict the rotating or tipping of the figure 20 about thetop clip 50. In addition, the securing connector 26 may include thefront tab 52 which extends frontwardly from the body 54 and which has aforward bevel 63 at about 45 degrees, which engages at the front joint66 where the window glass is received within the front portion of thewindow frame, such that the front tab 52 may be engaged between thewindow glass 24 and the window seal 62. The side window glass in manyautomobiles, such as the window 24, will often have a convex curve abouta generally horizontal axis. The flexibility of the support plastic, andthe support at the top and the front of the device 20 enable the deviceand the figure depicted to generally conform to the curve of the window.

It will be noted that the positioning of the figure on the vehiclewindow is with respect to the upper edge of the window and the forwardedge of the window. Thus, a single support 22 may be adequatelyinstalled on a wide variety of vehicle types. Moreover, because of theresilience of the body 54, the support 22 is conformable to thecurvature of the window glass, which typically will vary from vehicle tovehicle.

To contribute to the illusion of the figure extending outwardly fromwithin the vehicle, the support 22 may be provided with a decorativeedge strip 70, as shown in FIG. 1, which extends rearwardly from thebody 54 towards the rear limit of the window 24. The edge strip 70 ispreferably formed as a one inch tall transparent rectangle of plastic.The image on the case element 30 is positioned to appear to be extendingover the edge strip 70, as if leaning out through a window opening abovethe top edge of a lowered window. The transparent edge strip 70simulates the appearance of the window glass. However, for optimalillusory effect, the edge strip should extend rearwardly to closeproximity to the rear margin of the window frame. Although the edgestrip 70 may be engaged in some sliding arrangement with the body 54 ofthe support 22, in a preferred embodiment the edge strip is an integralportion of the support 22 and has spaced vertical grooves 72 whichdefine lines of weakened material. The purchaser may then configure thedevice 20 to fit the window of a particular vehicle by breaking offportions of the edge strip 70 rearward of the optimal vertical groove72.

To secure the case to the support, the front panel 32 and the back panelare sewn together at a seam 80 which extends only partially around thesupport. The seam 80 may be provided with a strip opening 82 throughwhich a front decorative edge strip 84 may project from the body of thesupport. The front tab 52 may be positioned on the forward end of thefront edge strip 84. The edges of the front panel 32 and the back panel34 which are not sewn together are provided with the loop elements of ahook and loop fastener 86. Hook elements 88 of a hook and loop fastenerare adhesively attached to the front and the rear surfaces of thesupport 22. The hook and loop fastener elements on the front panel 32and back panel 34 are then connected to the elements on the support 22to secure the case to the support and restrict the tendency of thematerial to flutter in the wind. This attachment approach facilitatesmanufacture of the cases separate from the support, and their rapidattachment to the supports. However, other attachment approaches may beemployed, such as sewing the front panel to the back panel around theentire perimeter of the support, gluing the front panel and back panelto the support, use of snap fasteners, zippers, and other fasteningmeans. Alternatively, hook and loop fasteners elements may be placed onthe rear panel and the front panel of the case to be connected directlyto one another, rather than attaching to the support itself.

The display device 20 may be constructed in two versions, one forattachment to the passenger side rear window, as shown in the figures,and another which is a mirror image of the first, for attachment to thedriver's side rear window. The display 20 is designed to be placedtoward the front edge of the rear window so as to minimize theobstruction of the window. Moreover, the device 20 does not hinder theclosing of the window to which it is mounted.

The display device provides a means for allowing people to express theirlove and appreciation for dogs or other animals to others. In addition,it would invite camaraderie between people on the road—one dog loverwould recognize another.

It should be noted that the case may be imprinted with a variety ofdesigns to simulate different breeds of dogs, other pets, wild animals,celebrities, fictional characters, and the like. Although some supportsmay present a common profile which may be used with different caseimages, often a different support and profile will be required with adifferent case design.

Moreover, the back panel 34 of the multi-layered element 30 may also beimprinted or have formed thereon a figure corresponding to the one onthe front panel 32. In this way the figure, in addition to being visibleto those exterior to the vehicle, can also be seen by the vehicle'spassengers. In addition, the multi-layered element also providesopportunities for attaching messages, such as, for example, attaching atag to the simulated dog collar around a dog's neck. The tag could havethe mark or logo of a popular sports team, or some other product orassociation of interest to the owner.

An alternative embodiment display 120 is shown in FIG. 4. The display120 has a support 122 which may be formed of a polycarbonate material.The support 122 is connected to the window 24 by a securing connector126, which preferably comprises a top clip 150 and a two part hook andloop fastener 151, such as VELCRO fastener from Velcro Industries B.V.The fastener 151 comprises a first strip 153 which is affixed to therear surface of the support 122, and a second strip 155 which isconnected by a pressure sensitive adhesive to the vehicle window 24. Thefastener strips 153, 155, may be about 1½ inches high, and extendingabout two to three inches in the front to back direction. The top clip150 is similar to the top clip 50 discussed above. The hook and loopfastener 151 is located below the level of the top clip, and serves torestrain the support from separating from the window. The artwork orindicia 157 representing the animal or other figure which is to besimulated by the display is formed directly onto the support 122, forexample by screen printing, or by attachment of a preprinted decal, orthe like. A flap 140 representing a dog's ear or other loose feature isaffixed to the support 122. Likewise, the display may be provided with adog's collar 144. It should be noted that the support 120 may be formedwith an edge strip similar to the strip 70 shown in FIG. 1, to simulatethe appearance of an open window over which the figure is leaning.Hence, any of the displays of this invention may be provided with thehook and loop fastener arrangement for restraining the lower portion ofthe support in engagement with the window.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the particularconstruction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described,but embraces such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1. A display for attachment to a window of an automobile, the windowbeing vertically adjustable within a vehicle window frame, the displaycomprising: a vertically extending support positionable on an exteriorof the window, to be positioned in a flow of air passing along theautomobile when the automobile is in motion; a clip extending upwardlyfrom the support to engage the window, and to hang the support from thewindow on the exterior of the window; indicia applied to the support tosimulate the appearance of a figure; and a flap connected to thesupport, the flap having portions which are moveable with respect to thesupport in the flow of air, such that the flap moves as the automobiletravels; a first segment of hook and loop fastener material affixed to arear surface of the support at a position located downwardly of theclip; and a second segment of hook and loop fastener material affixed tothe window to engage with the first segment of hook and loop fastenermaterial to retain the support adjacent to the window.
 2. A figuredisplay for attachment to a motor vehicle window, the displaycomprising: a support positioned exterior to the vehicle window;portions of the support which extend upwardly to define a clip forengagement with a top edge of the motor vehicle window; a first segmentof hook and loop fastener material affixed to a rear surface of thesupport at a position located downwardly of the clip; a second segmentof hook and loop fastener material affixed to the window to engage withthe first segment of hook and loop fastener material to retain thesupport adjacent to the window; and figure-simulative indicia connectedto the support for presenting to spectators exterior to the motorvehicle, and a first flap connected to the support.